Hybrid

AI GENESIS

The Largest AI Hackathon In The Middle East

AI Genesis is a global hybrid hackathon that brings AI builders together from around the world β€” starting online and culminating live at /function1 AI Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Dubai


πŸ“…Oct 26 – Nov 3, 2026

β€’ Oct 26 – Nov 2: Online build & collaboration

All projects must be submitted by end of day on November 2.

β€’ Nov 2 (Online + Dubai): An exclusive on-site build day in Dubai for selected participants.

β€’ Nov 3 (Dubai): Live on-stage pitching & winners announcement at the /function1 Conference.

🌟 Get support from expert mentors throughout.


πŸ‘₯ Go solo or team up.


πŸ“ Please note: If approved for the on-site experience, you’ll also have the opportunity to showcase your project live. Travel and accommodation will not be covered.


πŸ§‘πŸ»β€πŸ’» Secure your spot now, sign up before the Kick-Off Stream!

AI GENESIS event thumbnail
About /function1

/function1 is a curated global AI Conference & Exhibition bringing together 15,000+ founders, developers, researchers, investors, students, and policymakers from across the AI ecosystem.

Built around the belief that AI should be accessible and impactful, /function1 exists to surface real solutions to industry challenges, spotlight the next generation of AI talent, and accelerate innovation, bringing the AI world together, one event at a time.

Build, collaborate, and refine your AI project over multiple days, then showcase your work during the conference alongside the ecosystem shaping the future of AI. Whether you join remotely or on-site, AI Genesis is where ideas turn into real demos on a global stage. 

CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE

The future isn’t waiting and AI Genesis is back to build it.

Challenge Overview
This In this new edition, participants are challenged to go beyond the basics and deliver impactful, real-world AI projects. From enhancing human productivity to solving complex industry challenges or reimagining creative workflows, this is your chance to push ideas further and build what’s next.

Industry & Technology partners' Challenges

As in previous editions, participants will choose which partner technology to build with β€” unlocking dedicated challenge tracks, resources, and exclusive prize opportunities.


πŸ’‘ Each partner challenge focuses on real-world applications of their technology, but participants are encouraged to bring their own bold ideas and creative implementations within that framework.


πŸ”” Partner challenges and resources will be shared before the hackathon kickoff β€” stay tuned for the full reveal!


How It Works

πŸ”ΉTeams will decide which partner’s technology to use during the hackathon and build their project around it.

πŸ”ΉProjects will be judged within that partner’s challenge category, with dedicated prizes and recognition for each partner’s top implementations.


πŸ“ On November 2, selected participants will be invited to join an exclusive in-person build day in Dubai. This is a chance to collaborate face-to-face, make final improvements before the submission deadline, and connect with peers and mentors in a high-energy setting.

⚠️ On-site attendance is by invitation only. Travel and accommodation expenses are not covered.
 
Apply now to secure your spot!


Prizes

πŸ†TBA

Please be awareΒ that participation in lablab.ai hackathons is voluntary and subject to the specific rules and conditions outlined for each event. While we strive to provide a fair and rewarding experience for all participants, we cannot guarantee entry or success in securing prizes. All prizes and opportunities are subject to availability and participants must meet the established criteria to qualify. lablab.ai is not responsible nor held liable for any commitments or offers - including programs, giveaways, or prizes - made by third-party sponsors or partners of the hackathon. The availability and delivery of third-party prizes or benefits are solely at the discretion of the respective sponsors and are not guaranteed by lablab.ai. We reserve the right to make amendments, modifications, or cancellations to any part of the hackathon (including full cancellation of the event itself), including prizes and terms of participation, at our sole discretion. Whenever possible, we will endeavor to notify participants of significant changes within a reasonable timeframe. All submissions by participants must be original work, open source, and compliant with the MIT License unless specified otherwise. By participating, you agree to these terms, the overall event terms, and the lablab.ai general terms and are encouraged to review all event-related information carefully. Prize Distribution: lablab.ai and its partners reserve the right to distribute all prizes within a 90-day period following the end date of the hackathon. This period allows for the proper processing and verification needed to award prizes appropriately.

Community & Social Channels


Stay connected with the teams behind the hackathon and follow along for updates, highlights, and future opportunities.

lablab.ai
/function1
NativelyAI
Surge

What to submit?

πŸ“‹ Basic Information

β€’ Project Title

β€’ Short Description

β€’ Long Description

β€’ Technology & Category Tags

πŸ“Έ Cover Image and Presentation

β€’ Cover Image

β€’ Video Presentation

β€’ Slide Presentation

πŸ’» App Hosting & Code Repository

β€’ Public GitHub Repository

β€’ Demo Application Platform

β€’ Application URL

For further details and guidance, please visit Submission Guidelines


Important: Please make sure you select the correct tag when submitting your project so it can be properly evaluated. 
lablab.ai

Topic: Hackathon Submissions Process

▢️ Watch Video
Judging Criteria
Application of Technology
How effectively the chosen model(s) are integrated into the solution.
Presentation
The clarity and effectiveness of the project presentation.
Business Value
The impact and practical value, considering how well it fits into business areas.
Originality
The uniqueness & creativity of the solution, highlighting approaches and ability to demonstrate  behaviors.
Important: Please make sure you select the correct tag when submitting your project so it can be properly evaluated. Use the tag that corresponds to the technology you worked with.

Hackathon Details

Join lablab.ai hackathon and innovate using the latest models in the market. Discover all the relevant details below.

πŸ—“οΈ Where and when

The start date of the hackathon is mentioned according to the date specified on the hackathon page, cover and schedule. The hackathon will take place on the lablab.ai platform and lablab.ai Discord server.

πŸ¦ΈπŸΌβ€β™‚οΈ Who can join?

Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of previous AI or coding experience! We encourage anyone with a passion for AI or an interest in exploring how it can be used in their field to join.

πŸ˜… What about teams?

If you don't have a team, don't worry! You can connect with other participants from all over the world on our dashboard or Discord server. We also recommend checking out our Discord server to find teammates and bounce around ideas. You can join the server here.

πŸ› οΈ How to participate

The hackathon will take place online on lablab.ai platform and lablab.ai Discord Server. Please register for both in order to participate. To participate click the "Enroll" button at the bottom of the page and read our Hackathon Guidelines and Getting Started Guide.

🧠 Get prepared / Use Lablab.ai to Learn About AI

To get ready for the hackathon, visit our AI Tech pages and read up on all the available technologies. You can also check out our tutorials page for more information on how to use them. Get a head start on your project by using the resources on lablab.ai!

Speakers, Mentors & Judges

Pawel Czech
Pawel Czech
Founder
NativelyAI
Addy Crezee
Addy Crezee
Founder & CEO
/function1
Victoria Neiman
Victoria Neiman
Co-founder & COO
AI/ML API
Andrea Marazzi
Andrea Marazzi
Founder and CCO
NativelyAI
Pawel Czech
Pawel Czech
Co-Founder
New Native
Andrea Marazzi
Andrea Marazzi
CCO
New Native
Pawel Czech
Pawel Czech
Founder
NativelyAI
Victoria Neiman
Victoria Neiman
Co-founder & COO
AI/ML API
Sergey Nuzhnyy
Sergey Nuzhnyy
Head of Developer Relations
AI/ML API
Sergey Nuzhnyy
Sergey Nuzhnyy
Head of Developer Relations
AI/ML API
Addy Crezee
Addy Crezee
Founder & CEO
/function1
Sergey Nuzhnyy
Sergey Nuzhnyy
Head of Developer Relations
AI/ML API
Junnan Li
Junnan Li
Research Lead
Rhymes.ai
Gus Martins
Gus Martins
Staff Developer Relations Engineer
Google
Philippe BrulΓ©
Philippe BrulΓ©
CTO
Restack
Pawel Czech
Pawel Czech
Co-Founder
New Native
Andrea Marazzi
Andrea Marazzi
CCO
New Native
Andrea Marazzi
Andrea Marazzi
Founder and CCO
NativelyAI

Event Schedule

  • To be announced